Oil Severance Tax Proposed; Would Fund Calif. Parks, Higher Ed

A tax on oil removed from the ground in California would pay for state parks and higher education under a bill just introduced by Democratic lawmakers. It could be one of the most contentious policy debates this year at the Capitol.

Evans:"The state of California is
the only oil-producing state in the nation that does not have this
tax. California is way behind the eight-ball on this."

Evans says the state's higher education and parks systems have
each endured deep budget cuts and have great need for the measure's
projected $2 billion a year in revenue.

Republican Senator Jean Fuller says this is not the time for a
new tax on a specific industry after voters approved Proposition 30
last fall.

Fuller:"We've been given a
reprieve by the taxpayers with these new taxes. Let's use
them efficiently and wisely - and maybe tighten our belt just a
little bit for the moment."

As a tax measure, the bill would need two-thirds votes in both
chambers and Governor Jerry Brown's signature. Brown and some
moderate Democratic lawmakers have said they're reluctant to raise
more taxes right now.